“There are going to be problems,” – Nurses on new rotation system at Pietersburg Provincial Hospital
Further reports are of deep dissatisfaction and low morale about a shortage of cleaners at the hospital at night time specifically, and that nursing staff must clean up vomit, fetch medicine from pharmacies and even collect articles from storerooms, tasks that are not in their job descriptions.
POLOKWANE – “There are going to be problems when management wants to force nurses to comply with this new system.” These were some of the threats made by a group of nurses, who said a system of rotation is planned at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital for next year. They feel employees had not been consulted beforehand and that the new system makes them “uncomfortable”.
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A representative from the nursing community at the Pietersburg Hospital, who opted to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, told BONUS over the weekend that there is deep dissatisfaction among the nursing fraternity at the hospital about plans to rotate them among wards, come 2020. “Management wants to move you to where they think would be fitting for you. They act as if they own you. They are very tough on nurses, and most nurses are grumbling and complaining.”
The nurse claims staff were simply informed of the decision. “They talked to those in charge of the wards and then made the decisions. Unions were involved, but the decision was taken to rotate nurses, even though some feel very strongly against the decision,” she said. She said it is key to consult nurses, as some want to specialise in certain fields, something that would be hard when working on a rotational basis. “The feeling is that they can maybe be rotated when they start out their nursing careers, but later, some of us want to specialise.”
Further reports are of deep dissatisfaction and low morale about a shortage of cleaners at the hospital at night time specifically, and that nursing staff must clean up vomit, fetch medicine from pharmacies and even collect articles from storerooms, tasks that are not in their job descriptions, as there is a shortage of general assistants and no cleaners at night.
“Nurses are supposed to concentrate on their nursing duties and not on collecting toilet paper (if it is available),” according to the woman. Neil Shikwambana, Spokesperson for the Department of Health refuted allegations of non-consultation. “Management thoroughly engaged with nursing staff and as far as we know, nurses accepted the system. The few individuals who are unhappy are welcome to voice their dissatisfaction. Our call to all those who are not happy is that they must engage with us.”
On the issue of night duty cleaners, he said the department targets critical and busy areas such as maternity and casualty wards, theatres and OPD at night. “These areas require cleaners all the time, even at night.”
